Apr 14, 2016 - This is the school's second year participating in the program, in our Western Negev Region. The team won
TheEqualizer May 2017
MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2) Stories from the Field 4) Volunteer of the Week 6) Nice to Meet
Picture of the Month A special guest - Minister of Education Naftali Bennett - joined our Jerusalem Region’s final tournament. After speaking with and posing for photos with the children, the Minister kicked off the tournament. And then, the Minister couldn’t resist joining in the game between the Tsur Baher and Geulim schools. Minister Bennett said: “The Equalizer found the precise formula for successfully developing each child in his/her favorite area, while at the same time improving his/her studies. Children throughout the country, across all sectors of society, learn about themselves, achieve each day and succeed much more as a result. I especially like the way the program integrates love and inclusion, along with uncompromising demand stemming from faith in the children.” This picture was posted on our Instagram and Facebook. Please follow us!
Stories from the Field The Archbishop of Canterbury, during his visit to Israel, was very grateful to all the children for going easy on him during the football match, together with Deputy UK Ambassador Tony Kay. We thank the British Embassy for this special visit!
The young players from Iblin’s elementary school are practicing for the last time of the year!
The Itamar School's team from Netanya is preparing for the Sharon Region's monthly tournament, not just in their football practices but also in their study center!
In picture: Opening Tournament Invitation
more Stories from the Field, follow us on Facebook Thursday, April 14th, 2016For in Afula
The Equalizer - Education on Top
Stories from the Field Lobna, Jessica, Asala, Qamar and Dima are all studying education at the Emek Yizrael College and are volunteering in our study centers in Nazzareth and Iksal. They receive coaching by the Nazzareth School's educational consultant, Innas Zu'abi, who initiated an amazing activity—she invited the school from Iksal and the teams had joint activities, where they got to know one another, together with the five volunteers and Sim, the vice principal who coordinates the team.
In Tel Hai Academic College up north, the staff and volunteers of our Upper Galilee Region had a mid-year meeting. The Equalizer board and the legendary media celebrity, Modi Bar-On, came to speak. It was terrific!
Daliat el Carmel’s first tournament of the year for 7th-8th graders in the north. Middle school teams are from Afula, Kfar Manda, Ibtin, Acco, Kiryat Haim, Shlomi and, of course, Daliat el Carmel.
In picture: Opening Tournament Invitation
more Stories from the Field, follow us on Facebook Thursday, April 14th, 2016For in Afula
The Equalizer - Education on Top
Volunteer of the Week Elad Nevo. 26 years old, from Beit Rimon and works at Ness Technologies, and responsible for all The Equalizer tournaments in the Lev Hagalil Region. He handles the logistics, transportation, photography, judges, time table – everything needed before, during and after the tournaments. Itamar, the regional manager, said: “Elad is volunteering without any compensation whatsoever. This is who he is (in addition to being a very good friend of mine) – he does everything full-heartedly without anything in exchange.” Elad told us: “I came one time to help and fell in love. It’s amazing to see what football can make people do and what incredible things can be achieved with sport and education!” Itamar continued: 'It's fun to know you have someone with you who is so responsible, serious and a mensche like Elad." Abed Alrahman Abu Madam and Samar Abu Suiss. Tutors of the Omar Ibn el Khatab’s team from Rahat. They volunteer in partnership with the Israel National Lottery. Shay, the regional manager, explained why he chose them: “Abed and Samar are doing a wonderful job, while making a real connection with the children and fully believing in what our program has to offer them.” Samar told us: “I really love the children and I connected to the program because I saw how it brings happiness into the kids’ lives. We try to do activities they love. We work in cooperation with the coach Fares, and he has clarified the connection between the study center and the football practices to the children. At the last tournament, Abed and I saw In picture: the children from all different backgrounds playing together, talking and enjoying together, Opening Tournament irrespective of race,Invitation color or any other difference. They were all there because of their th football. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing commonApril love14 for Thursday, , 2016 in Afula program. Thank you!”
Volunteer of the Week Maya Vorobyov. Maya volunteers through the Rothschild Ambassadors program and is studying communications at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzeliya. She volunteers at the Derech Hagalim program, running sport practices and discussions. Maya chose to volunteer with the Equalizer because: “I like how the program reaches the children through sport; the best way to instill values in a child is through an area or topic that s/he loves and can connect to.” Omer Kleiman, the Sharon Regional Manager, said: “I chose to highlight Maya because she is from the world of sports and knows how important sport can be in boosting one’s confidence.”
Yarden Amster. Yarden tutors in the Hofit School’s study center in Haifa as a volunteer, without any compensation – no stipend or scholarship – just from her own free will! Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that her partner is Itamar, the Carmel Regional Manager… Yarden is doing wonderful work with the children and tells us that the program is empowering her as well as a volunteer, and not just the participants: “The most amazing thing in this volunteering is that sometimes I feel that the children are helping me and not the other way around. It’s an incredible program which is definitely changing these children’s lives.” Her partner, Itamar, shares: “Yarden volunIn picture: teers without compensation in a world in which compensation is always expected. She always arrives prepared and having a female Opening Tournament Invitation role model, boththon the pitch and in the classroom, is a bonus for the children. The fact that Thursday, 14 , doesn’t 2016 in Afula she is myApril partner mean that I go easy on her at all – she needs to have the highest standards!”
Nice to Meet Orion School, Beersheva
This is the school's second year participating in the program, in our Western Negev Region. The team won the fairplay trophy in the last tournament and has 5 wonderful female players! Omri volunteers as the team's coach and is studying psychology at Ben Gurion University. Moshe is the assistant coach, also studying at Ben Gurion, and is volunteering in partnership with the dean of the students. The study center tutors are Niv and Noy, on Perach scholarships. Shai, the regional manager, tells why he chose to highlight this team: "Because despite the difficulty in succeeding at football, the children never give up on themselves, arrive at every practice and to every study center!"
Al Zahra School, Jaffa
The school is in its 3rd year with The Equalizer and is very successful. The team is coached by Hemed who came from Yanuch in the Galilee and is doing a terrific job with the kids sports and discipline-wise. The study center tutor is Saliman, Jaffa-born, chosen during the year as volunteer of the week for his wonderful work. The school consultant, Jimlat, orchestrates the program as its coordinator and is making great efforts for the program to succeed. Jimlat told us: "The program helps the children with their homework and provides a safe afternoon framework for those who otherwise would have had no alternative. It provides faith in the children, role models and increases motivation." The Central regional manager, Omer, adds: "I chose the team because they have had the greatest improvement sports-wise, behaviorally and educationally. They were runners-up in the last tournament and their behavior was exceptional."
Nice to Meet Moshe Sharet School, Pardes Chana
This school is in its 3rd year with The Equalizer. Omer, the regional manager, told us: “I chose to focus on this team because coaches have switched and despite all the changes the children have remained committed to the program and have also shown wonderful results – both on the pitch and at school. The football practice is run by coach Yair, who has been a part of The Equalizer for a while. He told us: “For me, the choice to work with The Equalizer was easy. The program includes the values that I believe in. Integrating sport and education is a successful foundation for creating a better Israeli society!” Until recently, the study center was run by Hila, a student volunteering through Pardes Chana’s Youth Center. In the two tournaments that were held this year, the team won first and second places!
Fathers and Sons on the Pitch, Afula
This unique team of fathers and sons consists of 15 families with kids from 4th to 7th grades, and includes Ethiopians, Russians and native Israelis. Yossi Maymom, the team's coordinator and a father on the team as well, shared: “This program creates quality time for a father and his son. During our busy lives with work and all, it is an incredible opportunity to devote one and a half hours a week to your child. There is a lot of interaction during the practice, we don’t only pass balls to one another – there is also touch and emotion, like a hug or a kiss. For some fathers, this program has been a tool for them to hug or touch their child for the first time.” Yossi added: “There is healthy competition with fathers and sons on the same team, when we play a game during practice. The program also contributes greatly to the community, as fathers meet other fathers.” This is an opportunity to thank Moti Levkovich who helps tremendously with logistics and operations. The program is also run in partnership with the Afula Municipality and City without Violence.
